Semua Bab A Scandal With Mr. Nightwood: Bab 231 - Bab 240

All four of us were gathered around the central table for tea—Carmine sitting close to Dorian, and Kristine beside me.My mind was still processing the full weight of the truth. The haze was still there, but I knew I had to get used to the sight of this reality.Eventually, Dorian broke the silence. “So what now, Zayne?”“What what?” I asked casually, feeding Krisitne was bite of her cake. Dorian set his coffee mug down, leaning back in his chair with a calculating expression. “What are you going to do now?” “I don’t understand.” I turned to him slowly, knitting my brows together, “Do what?”“You have been shot.” He pointed at my shoulder, then towards Kristine. “Kristine’s security is compromised too.”Kristine and I exchange worried glances. I could already tell where this was going to lead. “Ever since you have left. You are nothing but a victim and a target.” Dorian reminded me strictly. I placed the spoon down, looking him dead in the eyes.“I left for good.”No matter how t

KRISTINE’S POV*********************The mansion was dead quiet. No footsteps. No voices. Just the night and us.Giving us the perfect opportunity to complete the fantasies we once had. And I won’t deny, doing something risque–with the fear of being caught– was one of them.“Here we are.” Zayne put me down and glanced around, inspecting the cold air. “The weather is freezing tonight. Are you sure?” “Are you kidding me?” I smirked, “This is the perfect weather.” The night was dark, no stars, no sign of glimmer in the proximity. Only the distant hooting of owls and crickets in the grass.Perfect. Zayne’s hands are already on my waist, guiding me backward until the swing hits the backs of my thighs.“Sit.”I did. He gave me a slow push, giving me a sweet smile, swinging for a few moments to adjust in my seat and relax.“Are you comfortable, Kristine?”“Uh-huh.”He dropped to his knees between my legs without another word, pushed my thighs wider. He lifted my dress up slowly and l

Dorian’s suite had been prepared with absurd perfection—white roses scattered, champagne chilling in silver, candlelight flickering against the floor-to-ceiling windows.The sight looked like the beginning of a fairy tale.But, only from outside.For Carmine, it felt like a prison.“Is this it? The End?” A question escaped before she could stop it along with a trail of tears.Carmine stood near the bedroom window, dressed in a pristine white wedding gown. The delicate lace sleeves trembled with her shaking arms. Her veil had already slipped halfway down her back.But, she did not care about the appearance.Her mind was disturbed. Anxiously waiting for her groom.It wasn’t long when the doors opened and brought heavy silence in the room. She never looked at the man who had entered but her heart began to pound madly as her fingers fidgeted around her dress.Dorian Iglesias loosened the cuff of his black suit before closing the distance between them with measured steps.One.Two.Three

Dorian hadn't taken his eyes off his bride.For thirty minutes, she had remained curled in the corner of the honeymoon suite, her white gown gathered around her like wilted petals. The sobs had faded long ago, leaving behind something far more unsettling.Silence.Done with the lack of interaction, he finally decided to break the silence.“Carmine.”No response. Her chin rested on her knees, eyes never lifted from the floor. But, she refused to look at him.“Look at me.” His voice remained low, almost careful.Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her gown, curling herself more. “I can't.”The answer came as little more than a whisper.Dorian frowned, “Why?”Her breathing faltered, closing her eyes, “I am afraid.” “Afraid…” His expression remained unreadable as he studied her trembling figure. “Of me?” No reply. “Since when?”A long silence followed, confusing the man more than ever. Slowly, after struggling with her courage, a barely audible voice left.“Forever.”His jaw t

ZAYNE’S POV******************“Antler is dead.”Those three words from Dorian had shattered my world into endless fragments before I could even process them. My brain refused to accept it. Antler? The fearless, untouchable lieutenant? Dead?I sprinted down the hall, grabbing my car keys from the counter. My vision blurred with an overwhelming mix of shock and grief. Though my chest constricted, the fear dried my throat. Yet I had to see. I had to reach the hotel. I had to see him with my own eyes.“Kristine! Get inside—”The sentence died in my throat when I found the porch was empty. The blanket lay discarded. The shattered pieces of our mug glinted beneath the light. Soaked in a fresh pool of dark, unmistakable blood.My heart stopped beating. I instinctively retreated a step due to dread.“Kristine…?” I gulped before letting out a yell of pure terror. “KRISTINE!”Movements caught my eye at the far edge of the driveway. The unmistakable car and the Sparrow Crest.Kristine’